To ask the Minister of Education for her assessment of for how long the current Education and Library Board structure will continue.

Gheall an Coiste Feidhmiúcháin go mbeadh 1 Eanáir ina dháta bunaithe don Údarás nua um Oideachas agus Scileanna (ESA) a ghlacfaidh feidhmeanna na mBord Oideachais agus Leabharlainne ar láimh. Ní dheachaigh an Bille um Oideachais ar aghaidh chuig an chéim bhreithnithe, áfach, cionn is nach ndearna an Coiste Feidhmiúcháin cíoradh ar na leasuithe a bhí curtha síos agam, ag an Coiste Oideachais ná ag baill aonair. Creidim go n-aithníonn mo chomhghleacaithe ar an Choiste Feidhmiúcháin an gá le dul ar aghaidh go práinneach leis an leasú riachtanach seo sa riarachán oideachais d’fhonn go bhféadfar an tÚdarás nua seo a bhunú ag an dáta is luaithe is féidir. Leanfaidh na Boird Oideachais agus Leabharlainne dena bheith ag feidhmiú don idirthréimse roimh bhunú an ESA.

The Executive committed itself to 1 January 2010 as the establishment date for the new Education and Skills Authority (ESA) which is to take over the functions of the Education and Library Boards. However, the Education Bill has not proceeded to Consideration Stage because the Executive has yet considered the amendments that have been tabled by the Education Committee, by individual Members and by myself. I trust that my Executive colleagues recognise the need to proceed urgently on this much-needed reform of education administration so that the new authority can be established at the earliest possible date. The Education and Library Boards will continue to operate for the transitional period until the establishment of ESA.